Debisty Designs

Software: Ulead PhotoImpact 6, 7, 8, XL or Pro
Author: Debbie Hardisty
Home Page: Debisty Designs
Title: Fun With Frame & Shadow
Skill Level: Beginner

Featured Tools:
Frame & Shadow

Additional Files:
Optional image
Right click to save as or use an image or photograph of your own.

Description: Learn about the command Format/Frame & Shadow and see how various frames can enhance the look of your images and photographs.

My terms of use for this tutorial are simple....What you create using this tutorial is yours to do with as you please. A link back to this tut is appreciated but is not a requirement. The tutorial itself along with the images herein are copyrighted to me and all rights are reserved.

Start by opening the image or photograph you'd like to frame. Click on Format/Frame & Shadow and we'll take a look at what options we have open to us within the Frame & Shadow box that pops up.

When you go to Frame & Shadow for the first time, it's likely that you'll be confronted with a box similar to that on the left here. We're looking at the Frame tab. Click on the drop down menu and you'll see these other options as shown here on the right.

The one we're going to look at first is the option None. It's here where you can choose what colour your canvas is going to be and as with every option in the drop down box, you'll see the preview screen which will show how a particular frame or shadow will look on your image.

Click on the Shadow tab and you'll be able to choose whether or not you'd like a shadow added to your image by checking or unchecking the shadow box, but you're unlikely to see a shadow unless you have canvas checked too. It's here that you can determine what size and type of shadow you wish to use and also the canvas size and colour. Again you'll see how it will affect your image in the preview pane.

As you work your way through the drop down menu (as shown in the first screenshot), you'll see other frame options available to you.

Here are screenshots of some of those options.

I've decided to add a classic frame to my image, so if you'd like to follow along with me now, you'll see exactly how that's done. Classic frames work well on a square image but become a little distorted on rectangular ones, so be sure that the image you use (if you're using a different one to mine), is square.

If you haven't done so already, then choose Classic Frame on the drop down menu.

1. Click on the frame you wish to use.
2. Ensure that "Do not merge frame object" is checked
3. Click on OK and watch the magic happen.

After right clicking on my mouse and selecting the option to "Merge All", this is how my finished image turned out.

However, had I not merged all, I could see that the frame was selected, so I could have right clicked on my mouse and selected "Ungroup" and then change various elements of the frame by using materials or fills found in the Easy Palette.

Below are three examples of the same frame using different fills and materials.

And below are examples of other types of frames done using the Frame & Shadow command.

2D Frame

Edge Frame

3D Frame

Debisty Designs Tutorial Award
When you have completed this tutorial you are welcome to download and display this award on your web page. As a courtesy, you may wish to display your results on the PhotoImpact International Board. This award is being offered on the honour system. Right-click on image and save to your hard drive.

[Index] [Gallery] [Tutorials] [Downloads]
[PI Newbies] [PI Challenge] [WET] [Links]